Guest: Acting the Part
I first met Tom and Chrissa, at the premiere for The Musician. I loved seeing the film and thought that these guys would be awesome to work for/with!
After acting in a promotional film Light Films produced about Derby for Marketing Derby and thoroughly enjoying it, I emailed them about being a member of the crew on 'Coming Home' they replied and allowed me to be a runner. When on set, I was asked to play the role of "dead soldier"; I immediately snapped it up and went on to play 5 dead people in this film! A VERY challenging role(s), I can assure you! This film was my first taste of a proper professional film making production.
 |
|
| Dead Soldier - Chris Seddon Photography |
The past couple of years had been a steep learning curve for me.
I have joined the well known Television Workshop in Nottingham. I have performed at the National Theatre in London, and got a great mention for my performance in the Financial Times review. I travelled to Portugal where I was cast, courtesy of Light Films, for the main role of their national tourism project which is likely to become a global project over the next decade. This role was a mixture of screen and stage work with a live performance; again fantastically challenging and I loved it. Most recently, I starred in my first feature film, too.
 |
In June of this year I had a meeting with a well known casting director who advised me to get a show reel. I immediately contacted the only people I would want to make my showreel - Light Films. I got a script ready so that the crew could start making plans for the lighting and then start producing it.
I chose a monologue from Dexter and told Tom Wadlow how I wanted it to make me/the character come across and left it with him and the team; I knew I could trust him to get it right! I then arrived at about half ten one Saturday morning and saw the set, it was amazing, everything was just how I imagined it!
Within an hour and a half we had wrapped on set and i was back home! By the Wednesday of that week, I was sent a link to the video asking if i was happy with it. I was more than happy and approved it, Tom put it on YouTube and it was mine to do what I want with it!
I sent it off to two casting directors and was offered the part in one short film down in London without an audition because he was so impressed with the showreel!
I also got a lead role in a production called 'Broken Youth' by up and coming writer Karen Woods, this will be performed at the Lowry in Manchester next June, then hopefully on tour to London, Liverpool and Birmingham!
I look forward to filming my next showreel scene with Light Films and hope that one day I will be in another of their films!!
To see Tom Murton's Dexter monologue click here.
To see Light Films independent filmmaking showreel click here.
Bumps and Films
|
When I was asked by my co-director to write a blog on being pregnant whilst working, I honestly didn't know what to write. Apparently us pregnant women battle through quite a bit to just function on a day-to-day basis, let alone run a company, but as someone who doesn't like making excuses about such things I've never found it an issue to work. That said, the offer to write the blog brought about an opportunity to reflect on the last 8 months. Not only have I learned first hand how it feels to grow a baby whilst maintaining a busy, demanding job but I've also shared the experience with a work colleague who was 10 weeks ahead of me with her pregnancy. The Early StagesKeen to not let anything beat me, I carried on with my responsibilities. Meetings, events, networking groups - apart from looking for new clothes to accommodate my new-found bump, nothing was different with the exception of feeling nauseous and falling asleep as soon as I got home! What made me feel worse? Seeing Josie, my pregnant co-worker, bouncing about with bags of energy whilst I actually did feel a bit like death warmed up! Josie, our Education Manager The difficulty came when some health problems reared their ugly head, and I insisted on maintaining my work load. Networking lunches (the favourite element of my job) turned into nightmares. Not being able to eat what was on offer whilst trying my very very best to concentrate on what those around me were saying. This came to an abrupt halt when my doctors told me that they could not permit me to work anymore. Creating my bed...Those around me know I seldom take time away from the business. As an owner of an SME, I can't! But this also meant that whilst I should have been resting I was being bombarded with Emails and phone calls - even from the most understanding contacts - paying no attention to "out of office" responses. I had no choice than to take doctors advice and started to wind down; one of the most difficult things I've ever endured! It forced both Tom and myself into streamlining the business to ensure all processes and systems were slick and straight forward. It was probably the best thing to ever happen to the business; ensuring it ran as close to clockwork as is possible for a service-based company!
Charlotte, our Studio/Office Manager and Julie, our Commercial Manager What made my "winding down" easy, however, was having the fantastic support of my team. The fact that they'd been trained up to help in all elements of my role from the moment I found out I was pregnant really helped. I was now able to delegate to Tom, Julie and Charlotte and they're such a great dedicated team that it made it a lot easier for me to let go. Baby Shower fun My daughter, my bump and I taking time out Josie and her beautiful baby boy It's almost time!Josie has given birth to a beautiful baby boy, who we are looking forward to joining us at Movie Makers in the future! Now, we're just weeks away from meeting the newest female addition to the Light Films family. I think contacts now understand I'm not in the office, and that Julie is a great replacement for me - she deals with the sales, commercial management, staff management and oversees the accounts with Charlotte. So if you have any enquiries please do get in touch with them - or even if you just want to introduce yourself! They'll be pleased to hear from you! The moral of the story? As a manager, business owner or just busy worker - be prepared, train up your team and be completely honest with yourself and your contacts about what you're able to do. Being honest, doesn't mean admitting defeat! We're always keen to hear your views on our blog topics, so feel free to comment below!
|
This blog was written by Chrissa Maund, our Commercial Director. To get in touch with Chrissa please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Summer Webvideo Savings!
Video is proving to be the most powerful way of delivering a message, both on and offline. We think it's unfair, that as an SME, you aren't privvy to the above benefits of webvideos just because of the unknown "big" cost. Which is why we're running a spectacular summer webvideo discount for the wonderful world of SMEs!
Let your prospects have a clearer view of your business offerings by having a webvideo. There are no hidden costs, and you'll get a film consultation, 2 hour film shoot and delivery of your video in web format in a timely manner. See how other businesses are benefiting from their webvideos...
To take advantage of this offer,simply give us a call or Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will arrange a free video consultation. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Offer expires Friday 29th July, book appointments now to avoid disappointment. THIS IS A LIMITED OFFER, WITH ONLY 15 DISCOUNTED VIDEOS AVAILABLE. |
This blog was written by Chrissa Maund, our Commercial Director. To get in touch with Chrissa please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Kids' Packed Out Premiere!
In March this year we had yet another fabulous Movie Makers Premiere. As a new tutor for Light Films, this was the first premiere that I had worked, or even been to; I really enjoyed myself and as a student teacher, it was wonderful to see how proud the children were of the films that they had created.
There were 14 films shown in total within the wonderful cinema at the Derby Conference Centre, upon the Big Screen, from music videos to adverts that the children had created. The premiere of the films all ran smoothly with Jordan controlling the films on screen, Josie presenting the premiere and with me handing out certificates, with the DVDs that the children get of their creations. In total there were four schools that created their films through an after school club, these were St Benedicts, Brackensdale, Mickleover and Walter Evans, three schools that had a holiday club, which were St. Albans, Asterdale and St. Benedicts, and two holiday clubs that we held at the Derby Conference Centre.
I was utterly shocked at the premiere’s audience, it was outstanding! I thought that only a few children would bring their parents along to see their creations, but the turn out of the premiere was amazing. There were easily around 150 people in total that came to the premiere. We had a room that was large enough to cater for the smaller audience that we thought was coming to the premiere, but with the turnout of parents and family that came to see the premiere we had to gain more seating that allowed us to intake the larger audience that came to the premiere. Both with the seats that we already had and the extra seats that we gathered we still had some of the audience having to stand as we had not thought that there would be such a large turnout.
I really enjoyed working the premiere and would be very happy to participate in any forthcoming events that Light Films presents. Overall the night ran smoothly with us working together as a team and the positive participation of the children and the audience. The children really seemed to enjoy the premiere, watching their creation, and being presented their certificates and DVDs on stage.
I really hope in the future that the positive reaction to the premiere will increase and hope that there will be more to come from the Movie Makers Clubs and Team members.
This blog was written by Steff Shaw, our Movie Makers Tutor, to get in touch with Steff, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Shelf Stackers Premiere
Shelf Stackers Premiere
We are set to exceed all previous film premiere achievements with our next big film premiere of "Shelf Stackers" which takes place on Thursday 12th May 2011 at The Great Hall in the Assembly Rooms, Derby. The event commences at 5pm and will finish at 9pm. Hot and cold food will be served throughout the event.
We have some great opportunities to get involved in the event, please read below or click here for the online sponsorship document.
Guest Speakers
We are delighted to announce the following guest speakers at our 'almost sold out' event!
Edward Nudd - Our host and compere for the evening
Neil Oseman (Award Winning UK-Filmmaker) - Award Winning Filmmaking with Light Films
Crash Taylor (World famous award winning photographer) - Ambitious Filmmaking with the HDSLR
Tickets
Tickets are priced at £15 and grant you access to the exhibition, networking event, both presentations and the main film screening - click here to book yours now
Exhibition Stands
Stands priced at £175 each - click here to book yours now
With the stand you will receive two free tickets to the event, a full attendee list post-event and if you book before 14th April you will receive an advertisement within the programme on the night. Exhibitors must set up at 4pm on the afternoon of the event, and we have secured a great deal with local printers Reflex for any promotional material you may require.
Video Advertising
Prior to the main screening, we have 8 opportunities for you to advertise on the big screen. Prices vary, but start from just £150 per advertisement. - SOLD OUT
Ticket Sponsorship
Get your business details and logo on the back of EVERY ticket that is sold for just £350 - SOLD OUT
Display your Pop-up Banner
Can't make it to the event, or maybe you don't want to commit to a stand? Display your company pop-up banner for just £20 LAST FEW SLOTS AVAILABLE
Below are just some of the exhibitors at the event:
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
For more information on how you and your company can benefit from the event or to book your advertising opportunity, please Email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or please click here
